Page 21 of When You Are Mine

“What are you saying?” He fake frowned, lips still twitching.

“That you try to front like you’re some big city boy—”

“I’m from New York.” His voice rose with citified indignation.

“I’m just saying—”

Jo walked toward them, looking pointedly at their still-clasped hands on Walsh’s leg. Kerris jerked her hand back and put a few more inches between them.

“I can hear you guys all the way down the hall.” Jo dropped her Yves Saint Laurent clutch on one of the seats. “I assume, based on the party I walked in on, that we’re celebrating? Iyani’s okay?”

Kerris and Walsh both sobered, exchanging worried glances. For those few moments they had forgotten why they were here, but it came rushing back with emotional force. Walsh shook his head, standing to his feet and resuming his pacing.

“Not yet.” A frown settled on his forehead.

“Here comes the doctor.” Kerris fought back her anxiety and kept her tone hopeful.

“Dr. Myer, how’s Iyani?” Walsh turned to the physician, who was pulling his surgical mask down. “Did the surgery go okay?”

“Is she gonna be all right?” Kerris stepped toward the doctor, too. “When can we see her?”

“Give the man some space.” Jo placed a restraining hand on Walsh’s arm.

“It’s okay.” Dr. Myer tugged at the mask hanging around his neck. “Iyani came through just fine.”

“Thank God.” Walsh reached for Kerris’s hand, gripping it tightly.

Kerris collapsed against his side, turning her head into the strength of his arm, limp with relief. Walsh brushed a gentle hand over her disheveled hair, long loosened from the elastic bands she’d started the day with. Kerris felt Jo’s eyes resting on them, but was too elated to care.

“You have to understand how very delicate this surgery is.” Dr. Myer measured his words into a recipe of warning. “This is the second aggressive growth removed from Iyani’s brain. The fact that she survived the first time was a miracle. We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Kerris drew a relieved breath, letting the doctor’s words float over her head. The surgery had only removed many of the tumor cells, but some cells remained inoperable. Radiation and chemotherapy were the next step. The doctor felt confident those could be administered in Kenya. Going home was going to be the best medicine for the homesick little girl.

“She’s still recovering, and will be out of it for a while,” Dr. Myer said. “I suggest you two get a few hours out of here, grab some dinner, get some rest, and come back a little later.”

Kerris figured her face looked as implacable as Walsh’s. Dr. Myer obviously wasn’t going to convince either of them to leave until they had seen Iyani. The doctor looked to Jo for help.

“Here’s a compromise,” Jo said. “I’ll go grab something for you guys to eat, and bring it here. That’ll be better than hospital food, but you can still be here to see Iyani as soon as possible.”

They both nodded, looking at each other to share a slow smile. Iyani was going to be okay. They seemed to release the breath they’d been holding together all day.

“Thank you for staying.” Walsh gave her hand a quick squeeze.

“Are you kidding? I can’t wait to see her.”

* * *

Hours later, Iyani was still groggy, but seemed almost surprised to be alive.

“Am I in heaven?” Her eyes slitted open. Anesthesia thickened her accent.

“Not yet, sweetie.” Relief threaded Walsh’s laugh. “You can’t get rid of us that easy.”

A weak smile was Iyani’s only answer before drifting back into a drug-induced slumber. Walsh stood by the bed, almost afraid to move. He felt like he’d been through battle, emotionally battered and worn down. He couldn’t have gotten through the ordeal of waiting without Kerris. He was about to tell her that when Cam walked in. He saw Cam before Kerris did, since he approached from behind her. Cam’s expression lightened at the sight of her. Walsh hoped he hid more than Cam, or else the whole world would know of his deepening feelings for the woman who had gone into battle with him today.

“Hey, babe.” Cam looped his arms around her waist from behind.

“Hi.” Kerris turned in the circle of Cam’s arms and gave him a smile that invited him into their joy. “Iyani’s gonna be okay. She came through fine.”

---